No secrets?
Marked man?
Not this guy.
EPILOGUE
Phoebe
Day 14
December 30
It’s nearly noon.Evander should be here any second.
“Have fun,” my dad says.
I pat his hand and rise from the bedside chair.“Can I do anything for you before I go?”I ask.
Finn and Emma’s wedding wore him out something awful, but I think he’s looking a little better today.I’m grateful for that.
“Yes, there’s one very important thing you can do for me.”
“Of course.”
“Enjoy the hell out of yourself, kid.Have the time of your life.And don’t you dare worry about me.I’ll be here when you get back.”
I pull my coat tight across my front and feel a huge smile spread over my face.“I will.Love you.See you in a couple weeks.”
I race down the steps.Mama and my brothers are waiting for me in the foyer, coats on.
“Oh, no.”I shake my head.“No one needs to escort me out to the porch.I’m good.Love you all.Bye!”
I grab my overnight bag, wave cheerfully, and shut the door behind me.
Then I take a deep breath of the cold air.And I wait.Inside my bag are my passport and ID, toiletries and birth control, my dress of seduction, and one change of clothes.Because I have absolutely no idea what’s happening.
What if Evander’s late?What if I end up standing out here looking like a…
My eyes try to focus on what's coming down the ranch lane.I’m already laughing as I run down the porch steps.
Evander does a U-turn, the shiny red convertible sparkling in the sunlight.He leans across the white leather bucket seat and throws open the passenger door.
“Ready?”
“Definitely not.”
He takes my bag and tucks it into the backseat.I slide in, and immediately, Evander crooks an arm around my neck, pulls me in, and kisses me.
“Buckle up, baby.”
“You’re crazy, Evander.”
“Crazy for you.Crazy like a fox.”
He leans his head back and produces a self-satisfied chuckle, then puts the car in drive.We take off with the top down, heading south along the lane toward the state highway.When we hit the pavement, my hair goes flying everywhere and it’s absolutely freezing, but I find myself laughing anyway.
Because whatever we’re doing or wherever we’re headed, I know I’m in good hands.Thebesthands.
